Skin in the game: celebrating distinctiveness
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The best cafés to work from in London
For sales people, life on the road (or train) can be considered a complete pain. That is, unless you have a first-in-class, arabica-bean tasting trail already mapped out.
I’ve never felt as though the travel element of my role was limiting. It’s a constant adventure and an opportunity to do and see things that I otherwise might not have, so long as I make the most of the time.
With an office based on Rivington Street and so many of lovely clients (both current and speculative) operating from the capital, London has become a home from home for me.
With that in mind, I thought it might be nice to share some of my favourite coffee joints that transform into ‘coffices’. Cosy spots that have always given me a warm welcome and wifi on tap.
Here’s my list of the best cafes to work from in London…
London Grind
The first coffee stop on my whistle-stop tour is a 30 second trot away from London Bridge station. The glitzy neon sign is an unmissable feature and if you haven’t been here for a cocktail then I would recommend that too. Having completely nailed the warehouse-chic look and feel, London Grind has a really distinctive vibe as well as a few dark corners that you can tuck yourself away in. I love hosting meetings here because it’s accessible and the service is always amazing. If you want to grab a table after hours, I’d recommend turning up with some time to spare as it’s popular and can be somewhat oversubscribed.
Credit: Grind
Workshop Coffee
With the closure of Workshop’s flagship cafe on Clerkenwell road this summer (sob), this first-in-class coffee roaster opened a spacious and beautiful alternative on the ground floor of Amazon’s Headquarters in Holburn. This is a marble-laden ‘coffeebar’ and is a great place to meet, greet and get back on your feet with one of the best Mochas in town. If you want to upgrade your coffice experience, it also has a sliding wall through the centre of the bar which can divide the space into a seated gathering area for meetings or events! Ooh err.
workshopcoffee.com/pages/holborn-coffeebar
Credit: European Coffee Trip
Hatch
Now I have to be transparent here – I’ve not yet been to Hatch in Homerton. But I’ve heard so many great things about it and it looks the bomb. The space is a coffee shop, restaurant and bar that has a bustling and varied events calendar and offers desks at £2 an hour for freelancers (which includes free tea refills to keep you motivated). Their food menu looks incredible and it certainly has its own identity. I suspect this space houses a really interesting mix of people which despite focusing on your own work, can make for a more interesting day. After all, it’s a chance to soak up the city.
Credit: Corina Esquivel
The Riverfront
For us southern folk, travelling in and out of London is done through Waterloo station. For those keen not to waste a minute catching up on emails, the Riverfront bar & kitchen offers a fabulously bright and airy space. It’s great for people watching, has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, is a 5 minute walk from Waterloo and has fresh coffee, food and drink – a venue for all hours.
benugo.com/restaurants/the-riverfront
Credit: Benugo
Stamford Larder
I stumbled across this kitsch little coffee shop before a meeting in Hammersmith earlier in the year. It stuck in my mind because it stood out on the high street. A fabulous spot to grab some breakfast, the Stamford Larder was a warm and calm café with delightfully friendly staff.
Credit: Giulia Balletti
